Teal Wicks Broadway reviews?

[CPat6783]

Posted: 2/9/11 at 5:41pm

Has anyone else caught Teal on broadway yet? I saw her last night and thought she was excellent. I didn't find her acting boring at all, now while she doesn't have the power of Mandy her voice is still pretty damn good. She did the higher octave on the second bring me down in DG , and did a different ending to DG. She did nothing special with No Good Deed, you can tell she is playing it safe,k but she is still amazingly powerful at least in my opinion. I am hoping she has a great run and continues to take care of her voice and has excellent attendance like she did when she was in LA. Hoping to write a longer review later.

[beautywickedlover]

Posted: 2/9/11 at 5:49pm

Here's what some people had to say on her opening night from last week:

"There has been a lot of talk about her voice issues, etc. but in all honestly absolutely none of that was prevalent tonight. Her voice as absolutely killer, especially during No Good Deed, where Teal really just blew me out of the house. Her lower register is fantastic and she's really just a fierce vocalist. If she rests properly I see no reason why she shouldn't be able to stay around without any issue. The biggest reason I've always loved Teal though is her acting, and she was just great in her first Broadway outing. She's a very relatable and honest Elphaba and once again I found myself connecting with her in a big way. Her emotions and especially her facial expression are amazing. She has terrific chemistry with Katie and with Kyle."

http://www.witchesofoz.com/wicked_boards/index.php?showtopic=34895&st=80&start=80

"Going into the show last night, I put all the discussion of blown voices and bickering over if Ms. Wicks was worthy of being the lead of the Broadway production in the furthest corner of my mind and basically internally challenged Ms. Wicks to bring it.

And, Ms Wicks did – in many ways – do just that with her performance. All around me, I became aware, were people who were previous fans of Ms. Wicks – TWickes [their term] who had seen Ms. Wicks on the opposite coast during her runs in either Los Angeles or San Francisco. The energy for Ms. Wicks was high, the TWickes giving their Elphaba their love and support, something truly endearing to feel around you. When Ms. Wicks made her entrance, the TWickes cheered and thus ushered in the newest green girl to the Broadway production club."

http://www.witchesofoz.com/wicked_boards/index.php?showtopic=34949

Surely the question on most people’s mind would be – How were her vocals? Did she strain? Did she sound like she’d give out any moment? Is it curtains for Teal? Alas, no, Ms. Wick’s vocals were not thin or strained – they were strong and well executed. Ms. Wick’s ‘Defying Gravity’ and ‘No Good Deed’ vocally very strong and performed wonderfully, while her lower tone (which is one of the most gorgeous lower tones I’ve heard of an Elphaba) shined brightly on “I’m Not That Girl.” Despite some wonderful vocals on the numbers, I still feel she’s trying to find her footing in places – which is understandable given this, is the first time she’s performed the score in public in quite some time. If Teal can properly take care of herself vocally and find the footing she wants to go vocally, the sky’s the limit on what her versatile voice can do. Do I believe she can do it? Yes, I do. I think she just needs to be precautious and know her limits, but I believe she learned from her past and will be just fine.

Vocals are only just one dimension of Elphaba – the acting is just as important as the vocals. Unlike some Elphabas, Ms. Wicks took the basis of Elphaba – a character that can sometimes can be played too safely or blandly for people’s liking and played her with energy, heart, and emotion that really showed. Whatever Teal’s Elphaba was feeling – you felt it. Every emotion she went through was tangible to the touch, because she made choices that came from the heart and you could tell. Her transformation from optimistic schoolgirl at the beginning of Act I to the defiant and confident woman at the end of Act II was one of the best acting arcs I’ve seen from an Elphaba in quite some time. No smoke, no mirrors were used with her acting – it all came from the heart and it was very beautiful to watch.

[Kev]

Posted: 2/10/11 at 12:35pm

I recently saw Teal. And she brought it. I was very impressed. She really did lay her emotions out on the table; nothing bland or contrived. There is also a richness to her voice that is simply lovely. All vocals were well-judged and sounded healthy. (And for those curious, at my performance, Teal did jump the octave for the second "bring me 'down'" and sang, what I'll just describe as, Eden Espinosa's usual ending to the song.)

Katie Rose Clarke remains delightful as Glinda. Kyle Dean Massey could butch up his otherwise solid Fiyero. The disappointment, for me, was Kathy Fitzgerald as Morrible; surprisingly unfunny.

[Blockhead24]

Posted: 2/10/11 at 1:00pm

I saw her yesterday afternoon after seeing her first performance last week and I thought that she was great. I'm really rooting for her not to have the same vocal issues that have plagued her in the past because she is a wonderful Elphaba.

PS I'm surprised AdamGreer hasn't chimed in about her since he's so opinionated about people..not meant as an insult

[adamgreer]

Posted: 2/10/11 at 1:08pm

I'm seeing her Saturday afternoon.

[CPat6783]

Posted: 2/10/11 at 2:40pm

After seeing her Tuesday night, I really was surprised to see that she was taking the second octave in DG and doing the Eden Espinosa ending. During her San Fran run it seemed like she played everything safe(at least from the audios) Not that I'm complaining she sounded awesome when I saw her, but I thought with her past vocal issues she would be playing it safe all around. Either way I'm sure she knows her limits and hope she continues to have great attendance.

[BroadwayGirl107]

Posted: 2/10/11 at 8:56pm

I hadn't seen the show in about 5 or 6 years, and one of my friends who works on the show offered me some comps for what happened to be Teal Wicks' first night. I have to say, I knew nothing about the girl and was planning to enjoy the show for sentimental reasons only, but I was completely taken with Ms. Wicks' work. She is absolutely an actress first and a singer second. I suppose that doesn't please too many Wicked fans who are more impressed with what riff a singer does on the big "Fiyero" note in "No Good Deed," but for someone who loves the story...I think this girl's pretty magnificent. She brought depth to the role I hadn't seen since Idina Menzel, and made a some interesting choices that were fresh and surprising to me. She's just a superb actress and performer. Excited to see what's in her future...

[justafan2]

Posted: 2/11/11 at 3:16pm

I'm very glad to hear these positive reviews. I have tix for next week and am looking forward to it now. (I wasn't before---due to the negative comments)

[CPat6783]

Posted: 2/12/11 at 4:48pm

AGreer what did you think of Teal's performance?

[provocation]

Posted: 2/12/11 at 8:10pm

She was incredible in Los Angeles. I only hope her Broadway run reflects how amazing she is.

[adamgreer]

Posted: 2/12/11 at 9:32pm

She's serviceable. Nothing more, nothing less. Not the worst actress I've seen play this role, but far from the best.

Her acting isn't great- she does the standard Elphaba, which means it's not awful, either. Same thing with her voice- nothing terribly exciting, and nothing to write home about.

It's a very run of the mill, safe, unexciting performance.

However, tourists seeing the show for the first time will probably think she's wonderful.

Everyone else is a mixed lot- Katie Rose Clarke still struggles mightily with the singing, and continues to grab her chest for support while she sings. Etai Benshlomo is growing on me as Boq, though I still miss Alex Brightman's voice a lot. Jenny Fellner and PJ Benjamin continue to appear completely bored with everything. Kathy Fitzgerald is good, but she doesn't touch Rondi Reed. Kyle Dean Massey was wonderful, however.

[Blockhead24]

Posted: 2/12/11 at 9:41pm

why am I not surprised by this at all?

[adamgreer]

Posted: 2/12/11 at 9:45pm

Why do you care so much?

[threetwoone]

Posted: 2/12/11 at 9:48pm

If it counts for anything, I agree with every word adamgreer wrote about Teal.

[FanofGreen]

Posted: 2/12/11 at 9:48pm

LOL! AG realllllllllllllllllllyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy wanted to hate Teal. But he couldn't. Cuz she's wonderful. So the best he could do is denigrate anyone who says she's good by calling them a first-time tourist. What a crock.

[adamgreer]

Posted: 2/12/11 at 9:51pm

Yes, child. That's what I did.

Goodness, the Teal Wicks fans are a defensive bunch.

[FanofGreen]

Posted: 2/12/11 at 10:10pm

Aw,Adam. Teal does not need defending. I apologize. I did get a chuckle out of you, though. You are just so predictable, sweetie,you are actually rather boring. I'm off to dinner now. Nightey, night!

[BroadwayGirl107]

Posted: 2/13/11 at 2:00pm

Hmm. I've noticed this pattern with a couple of long-running shows. There ends up being of lot of fans who have seen the show repeatedly and offer up their (usually negative opinions) on every new cast member that comes in and out of the show, and it leaves me wondering why these people continue to repeatedly view a show to begin with. It's like they're feeding their addiction in seeing the show, but have lost site of the fact that the show is, at the end of the day, a whole, cohesive story, not a bunch of disjointed parts made up of a rotating cast. It's a shame that people OD on good shows like that. I think people tend to lose perspective...

[broadwayboy101]

Posted: 2/13/11 at 2:08pm

I seem to recall adamgreer having some positive reviews of some of the recent cast members...

[ljay889]

Posted: 2/13/11 at 2:14pm

^ He loved Mandy Gonzalez's performance. And out of the recent Glindas, he absolutely adored Alli Mauzey.

[adamgreer]

Posted: 2/13/11 at 2:29pm

Hmm. I've noticed this pattern with a couple of long-running shows. There ends up being of lot of fans who have seen the show repeatedly and offer up their (usually negative opinions) on every new cast member that comes in and out of the show, and it leaves me wondering why these people continue to repeatedly view a show to begin with. It's like they're feeding their addiction in seeing the show, but have lost site of the fact that the show is, at the end of the day, a whole, cohesive story, not a bunch of disjointed parts made up of a rotating cast. It's a shame that people OD on good shows like that. I think people tend to lose perspective...

Hmm...to clarify, there have been plenty of recent cast members that I've enjoyed. AS ljay mentioned, Mandy Gonzalez was fabulous, and Alli Mauzey was by far my favorite Glinda. Both of the current standbys are excellent (and better than the regulars, IMO), and I even really enjoyed Lindsay Northen as Glinda. Rondi Reed was also an excellent Morrible, and I thought Alex Brightman was without a doubt the strongest Boq they have had.

But, please, continue to make assumptions about "feeding my addiction" when you know nothing about me. If I don't like a particular cast or performer, I simply stop going. I stopped seeing both Nicole Parker and Dee Ravioli simply because I didn't like their performances.

[FanofGreen]

Posted: 2/13/11 at 6:16pm

I don't mind someone stating their opinion, I really don't. And, quite frankly, considering what I think he expected, Adam's review of Ms. Wicks was almost glowing.

What I object to is that AG needs to go one step further. It's not enough to state opinion, there is the need to diminish the opinion of anyone who does not agree with AG. To wit: the first-time tourist comment.

Apparently Kyle Dean and Etai are both tourists, as they tweeted, respectively, that Teal was "wonderful" and "extraordinary." With all due respect, I hold their opinions in higher regard - not because they happen to agree with me, but because they are in the business.

Now, back to Pebble Beach. Go Bill!